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“Children are not the church of the future. They are the church of today.” A ministry leader at a summer conference made this comment. How tempting it can be to view children in the church as add-ons to the “real” work of the church! That inclination is not new. Jesus’s disciples tried to prevent young ones from distracting him, thinking that he had more important things to do. Yet Jesus stopped and encouraged the children to get close because they, too, belong to God’s Kingdom (Matthew 19:14). Healthy, growing church plants treat youth as indispensable parts of the body, training…

Scott Ancarrow faced an early challenge when he led a church plant in Baltimore- finding the right facility. Where a new church meets, especially in city centers, dramatically affects who is able to come, and whether or not new people will be able to find it! Fortunately, Foundry Church was able to secure a great location downtown (with harbor views even!) where they will be able to grow into the future. We were glad to play a part in helping Foundry get started. photos from Foundry: For over 60 years, Orchard Group has been launching churches in places like Baltimore. The…

1300 brand new toys (look at those bicycles in the background)! 200+ volunteer hours 170 families served 20 people lined up outside before the store even opened The Foundry had two very successful weekends of The Christmas Store. The church is providing high quality toys at a very low cost to families in inner Baltimore. This is their second year of ministering to the community in this way. It has been such a successful event that the local university wants to book The Christmas Store for their location next year! Volunteer Holly Gray shared what serving at the Christmas Store…

It started with a guy who had a giant screen and a projector. MISSION CHURCH in Ventura, CA wanted to find a way to have fun with families in their city over the summer. As they reviewed their staff, their volunteers, and all their resources, they discovered a friend who owned equipment that could play movies outside. Free Friday Flicks was created and two hundred people came to the first event. This summer, three years after the first FFF, 1,000 guests joined the fun. It has grown to include bounce houses, face painting, popcorn and drinks, and a photo booth with…

Mosaic, Revolution, and The Foundry are partners in the fight against human trafficking in Baltimore. Their presence has been vital to the work of The Samaritan Women, a home for the restoration and care of survivors of sexual abuse. Amanda Weikel, a member of Mosaic and Manager at the home, states, “Churches like Mosaic and Foundry are the hands and feet of Jesus to these women. One of our first groups of volunteers came from Mosaic. The Foundry was here doing physical work on the property before we even opened. Three years ago the property looked like a garbage dump.”…

Orchard Group began planting churches in New York City in 1948. Over the past 25 years, our church planting efforts expanded into the northeast region. Decades of work are now bearing fruit, as new churches become mature churches and in turn help more new churches start. Individual churches become a network that branch out to change the spiritual landscape of cities. This growth is especially visible in the Baltimore/Annapolis area where three churches started in the past six years are growing rapidly and supporting each other, even partnering together in gospel-oriented projects in the city. Mosaic Christian Church, led by…

Throughout the month of December and over the next several years, The Foundry Church is committed to serving Hollins Market, a low income neighborhood in Baltimore. This neighborhood is where Foundry wants to spend their time, talent and treasure – helping the neighborhood develop into something great. The Christmas Store is one of the ways they have established a presence in the area. The store is open Saturdays in December and is being staffed by both Foundry volunteers and a few people in the neighborhood that will be working for store credit. “Our hope is that this store enables all parents to be able to not…

One of the most exciting times in a family’s life is the birth of a baby. New parents (and grandparents!) post photos to share in their joy. Starting a new church is often compared to a birth. Furious work happens behind the scenes for months. Then everyone gets together to celebrate “Launch Sunday.” What was once behind the scenes is now public and ready to take its place in the world! Launch Sunday is one of the highlights of the early life of a church. During September, two new churches were planted with the help of Orchard Group. Renewal Church-…

Good things are happening at The Foundry Church in Baltimore! Community Building with their first ever BBQ Community Growth when they expand to 2 services this month Community service by sending people to help with Renaissance Church’s launch Sunday. Through this church’s life may the goodness of God’s life be evident to all!

I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth. 3 John 1:4 Joe Wilson, pastor at Fork Christian Church in Maryland (FCC), has long been a champion of missions and new churches. At 120 years old, FCC is a well-established presence in its own community. But Joe has challenged the people to think globally as well. FCC currently supports three Orchard Group church plants: Village Church in Buffalo, Revolution Church in Annapolis and The Foundry Church in Baltimore. Joe states, “As a pastor, if you’re not going to be a planter, then you need…

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